[faithfulfrank]

Hello all.
As most of you know, my "2nd for now" home is in the Leesburg area. When we are down there again in May, my 19 yr old son and GF will be flying down for a few days. They want to spend a day visiting a nice beach on the gulf side without taking half a day to drive there.

I've only traveled that way a few times when I went to Homosassas Springs. That was a nice state park, etc, but when we were done there, I told my wife, "Let's just drive west a bit more, the coast should be close....let's go beach hunting."

Well, I'm embarrassed to say that I never found the beach. EVERY road I took just ended up being a residential dead end. After awhile I said forget this, and went back home.

So......going somewhat directly west from Leesburg, is there anything nice, beachy, touristy, shopping, etc, nice places to window shop, eat, and enjoy a nice beach without driving hours north or south once we get closer to the gulf side? These are college kids.....we just want to spend a nice day at a nice beach, maybe make a nice memory.

OR.....perhaps what I should be asking.....what would you recommend for a nice day trip anywhere up to a few hours from the Leesburg area??

Where would YOU go....???? I almost posted this in the travel section, but I did not think a day trip was really "travel"........I'll take any suggestions.....

Thanks, Frank D.

P.S....I will take them up to The Villages to see the golf carts, etc.....